The Importance of the US Census
Friends,
On September 30, 2020, the United States Census Bureau (“USCB”) will stop accepting Census data, meaning this is the final deadline for you and your household to be counted! Every ten years, the USCB is charged with counting each resident of the United States based on where the individual lives as of April 1. The information gathered by the USCB is used to determine how many seats in the United States House of Representatives are allocated to each state. The results are also used to redraw the borders of Congressional districts and other political districts and, importantly, as a factor in the formulas that the Federal government uses to distribute federal funds to states.
In 1790, the very first United States Census was conducted during the first term of President George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State at the time, was responsible for heading up the operation. At that time, the population of the United States was 3,929,625. This number was used by Congress to allocate the 105 seats in the United States House of Representatives among the fifteen states that existed at that time. The United States Constitution mandates that the Census be conducted every ten years in Article I, Sections 2 and 9.
Along with allocating Congressional seats, the Census results are used to redraw the boundaries of state legislative and other voting districts within each state. In Georgia, the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate are tasked with redrawing district boundaries through a process called apportionment. In the House, the committee responsible for this task is the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee, currently chaired by Chairwoman Bonnie Rich from Suwanee. In the Senate, the committee responsible for this task is the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, presently chaired by Chairman Matt Brass from Newnan. In April of next year, the USCB will deliver the results of the 2020 census to the state of Georgia, and the reapportionment committees will begin the work of redrawing lines in a way that ensures that Georgia’s citizens are fairly represented in Atlanta and Washington DC.
Fortunately, if you have not responded to the Census yet, you still have time! You can complete the Census by visiting www.My2020Census.gov. You also have options to reply by phone or by mail. If you have further questions, make sure to visit www.2020Census.gov!
As of this newsletter’s writing, the state of Georgia’s response rate of 61.5% is well below the national average of 66%. Two of the counties in District 159 are also below the state and national averages, with Bulloch County’s response rate at 52.5% and Screven County’s response rate at 51.9%. Effingham County County’s response rate is above Georgia’s response rate at 65.5%, but still below the national average. I hope that those of you who have not completed the Census will be sure to do so before the end of the month, ensuring adequate representation and appropriate allocation of federal resources for our state.
Thank you all for allowing me to represent Georgia House District 159. It is truly an honor to work for you and this great state. If you have any feedback, do not hesitate to call (404.656.5052), email (Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov), or engage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JonBurnsGA). If you would like to receive email updates, please visit my website to sign up for my newsletter or email me.
Jon Burns represents District 159 in the Georgia General Assembly, where he serves as the House Majority Leader.